The Labour Department, Union Territory, Chandigarh is headed
by the Labour Commissioner who is also the Deputy Commissioner,
Chandigarh. The Secretary Labour is the Home Secretary. The Head
of the office is Assistant Labour Commissioner who is assisted
by Inspectorate and Ministerial staff.

Secretary Labour

Labour Commissioner

Assistant Labour Commissioner

Inspectorate and Ministerial staff

TERRITORIAL JURISDICTION

The Secretary Labour, Labour Commissioner and Assistant
Labour Commissioner have jurisdiction over whole territory of
Chandigarh. The entire area of Union Territory is divided into
four circles and each circle has an independent Labour
Inspector.

FUNCTIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT

The Labour Department has multifarious functions to perform.
This department is enforcing about two dozens labour enactments.
The main function of the department is to maintain industrial
peace and cordial relation between the worker and his employer.
The other important function of the department is to ensure
proper enforcement of labour laws.

Brief note on the important labour enactment alongwith
relevant authority is described below: -

INDUSTRIAL DISPUTES ACT, 1947

Under this Act the Assistant Labour Commissioner has been
declared as Conciliation officer. The Conciliation Officer tries
to conciliate the dispute between the worker and employer and to
bridge the gap between them so that amicable settlement can
stake place.

Any Worker whose services have been illegally terminated,
discharged, dismissed or retrenched can raise an industrial
dispute under section 2-A of the Industrial Dispute Act, 1947.

Any union or a set of five elected authorized representatives
can raise an industrial dispute under section 2-K of the
Industrial Dispute Act for better service conditions and
withdrawal of orders of punishment in respect of an individual
relating to service conditions etc.

In case of any strike, lay off or lock out for which an
intimation is received in this office or if there is any
apprehension of industrial unrest, the Conciliation officer
immediately intervenes in the matter and try to settle the
dispute.

WORKMEN’s COMPENSATION ACT, 1923

This is a very important peace of legislation granting relief
to injured person or dependents of the deceased with regard to
injury suffered by the worker, out of and during the course of
his employment. The Assistant Labour Commissioner has been
designated as Commissioner under the Workmen Compensation Act,
who exercises quasi-judicial powers. If any person suffers
injury out of and during the course of his employment he can
submit a claim case under the Act. In the eventuality of fatal
accident out of and during the course of employment, the
dependents of the deceased can also submit claim application for
compensation before the Commissioner Workmen’s Compensation. The
appeal against the orders of the Commissioner Workmen’s
Compensation lies in the Hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High Court.

MINIMUM WAGES ACT, 1948

Under this Act the Assistant Labour Commissioner has been
designated as quasi-judicial Authority. In case any worker is
paid wages less than the wages notified by the Chandigarh
Administration under the Minimum Wages Act then he can submit
his claim under the said Act and if the claim is proved than
interest and penalty can be awarded alongwith the claim
admitted. The Appeal against the orders of the authority lies in
the Hon’ble High Court.

PAYMENT OF WAGES ACT, 1936

Under this Act the Assistant Labour Commissioner has been
designated as quasi-judicial Authority. Any worker who falls
within the category of an employee i.e. whose monthly wages does
not exceed Rs.6500/- can raise claim with regard to non-payment
of wages, illegal deduction and delayed wages and if the claim
is proved than interest and penalty can also be awarded
alongwith the claim amount. Appellant Authority under the
Payment of Wages Act is District and Session Judge, Union
Territory, Chandigarh.

PAYMENT OF GRATUITY ACT, 1972

The Assistant Labour Commissioner has been designated as
Controlling Authority under this Act, which is a quasi-judicial
authority. Any worker who is not paid gratuity within the
prescribed period i.e. within 30 days can submit his claim to
the Authority under the Payment of Gratuity Act. The Appellant
Authority under the Payment of Gratuity Act is the Legal
Remembrancer, U.T., Chandigarh.

EQUAL REMUNERATION ACT, 1976

Under this Act the Assistant Labour Commissioner has been
declared as Inspector as well as quasi-judicial Authority. In
case of any discrimination regarding wages between a men and
women for same work or work for similar nature, the aggrieved
person can file his/her claim before the authority. The
aggrieved person can also submit a complaint before the
Inspectors as well. The Labour Commissioner is the Appellant
Authority.

THE FACTORIES ACT, 1948

Under the Factories Act the Labour Commissioner is the Chief
Inspector of Factories and the Assistant Labour Commissioner is
the Additional Chief Inspector of Factories.

PUNJAB SHOPS AND COMMERCIAL ESTABLISHMENTS ACT, 1958

Under this Act the Assistant Labour Commissioner is Chief
Inspector of Shops and Competent Authority to make the challans
and sanctions the challans in respect of inspection made by the
Inspectorate staff under this Act.
This is very important Act, which regulate the working
conditions of the workers in the Shops and Commercial
Establishments. The said Act envisages opening and closing, rest
intervals and close days in respect of such establishments.

The opening and closing hours in the Shops and Commercial
Establishments in Sector 17, Union Territory, Chandigarh is as
under: -

Opening/closing hours of all classes of Shops and
Commercial Establishments in Sector 17 from 11.00 A.M. to
9.00 P.M. will remain operative from 15th April to 15th
November every year and from 10.00 A.M. to 8.00 P.M. from
16th November to 14th April every year.

The above timings will not apply to the shops and
commercial exempted under Section 4 of the Act ibid.

The opening and closing working hours in Union
Territory, Chandigarh other than Sector 17 is as under: -

All classes of Shops and Commercial Establishments in
the Union Terriotry, Chandigarh.

Opening Hours Not earlier than 10.00 A.M.

Lunch break 1.30 P.M. to 3.30 P.M.

Closing Hours Not later than 8.00 P.M.

The Chandigarh Administration has recently issued a
notification permitting the employers to open the shops on all
the seven days in a week. The employer of all Shops and
Commercial Establishments, who employ employees will be allowed
to open their Shops and Commercial Establishments subject to the
conditions that they observe all the provisions of the Act/rules
relating to employment, working conditions, rest interval,
weekly off days and other restrictions specified in the
aforementioned Act of 1958.

CONTRACT LABOUR (REGULATION AND ABOLITION) ACT, 1979

If any contractor employees 20 or more workers then he is
required to get license under the above Act and the Principle
employer is also required to get the registration certificate.

CHILD LABOUR REGULATION AND ABOLITION) ACT, 1986

The Assistant Labour Commissioner and Labour Inspectors have
been designated as Inspector under the Act ibid. Under this Act
the employment below the age of 14 have been prohibited in
Schedule Part-A appended to the Act. The employment of a worker
between the age 14 to 18 years have been regulated. However the
Government of India vide its notification dated 10.10.2006 has
widen the scope of prohibition of child labour by amending the
schedule to the above said Act whereby banning employment below
the age of 14 years as domestic workers or servants and also
banning employment in dhabas (road-side entries) restaurants,
hotels, motels, tea-shops resorts, spas or other recreational
centers.

TRADE UNIONS ACT, 1926

Under this Act the Assistant Labour Commissioner is Registrar
for the purpose of registering the Trade Union as on 1.1.2007.
The number of registered trade union in the Union Territory is
555.

In addition to above the department is also enforcing the
following Acts

Building and other Contract Workers (Regulation of
Employment & Conditions of service) Act, 1996.

Bonded Labour System (Abolition) Act, 1976.

Any aggrieved persons under any Act can submit complaint to
this department for redressal.

STATISTICAL DATA

All the registered factories are required to submit various
monthly/half yearly/yearly statutory statements required to be
submitted under various Labour Laws. Non-submission to statutory
returns entails legal action.

LABOUR WELFARE BOARD

In addition to above, Chandigarh Labour Welfare Board is also
functioning under the control of the Labour Department.